Aspects of Psychology

Aspects of Psychology

Critical Thinking

I once figured in an awkward situation involving a heated exchange with a cash-register lady at a supermarket near our place . It all started when , while I was shopping , I saw that the particular sandwich brand used frequently at home was up for a Buy One Take One ' promo . I decided to pick up four rolls thinking that two of them were free . When the cash-register lady told me that I had to pay more , I went ballistic and started raising my voice at her . It was

only when I was made to realize that the promo actually read Buy One Take One .Half the Price ' that I started to blush , and quickly decided to shut up

Since I was too preoccupied with the desire to save a few bucks , I did not pay close attention to the promo information even when it was too self-evident . In many ways , I belong among those whom Sharps and Martin succinctly refer to as people (who ) often make decisions without reference to vital information , even when such information is readily available (Mindless Decision Making . Looking back , I can only wish that I could have critically thought about my decision even when it was done in passing for there were a number of critical thinking skills which I could have used . John Barham believes that `cost-benefit analysis ' and `risk management ' are a few examples . These theories , to be sure , demand that one should firstly engage in a careful study of the matter at hand so as to weigh his choices rationally (Barham , 2007 Which is why , an error that is as simple as failing to pay full attention to instructions is a point against critical thinking . These errors are in fact preventable when one takes time to look into pertinent information to help illumine his or her subsequent choices

I wish to briefly conclude that things could have turned out well for me had I only engaged in the art of critical thinking at that very moment If I were only paying more attention to what I read , I would not have ended up being so embarrassed . Now , more than ever , I have realized that it is supremely important to apply critical thinking skills in everyday life

References

Barham , J (2007 . The Road to Rational Decision-Making . Retrieved 15 August 2008 from

p Sharps , M Martin , S (yyyy . 'Mindless ' Decision Making as a Failure of Contextual Reasoning . Retrieved 15 August 2008 from PAGE

PAGE 1...